BY DAN BEGNOCHE
Unsurprisingly, Rob Gronkowski received plenty of attention from his quarterback in the Patriots' 34-9 win over the Detroit Lions Sunday. It was fellow tight end Tim Wright, however, who celebrating in the end zone.
Gronk hauled in five catches for 76 yards and was targeted 10 times by Tom Brady. But it was Wright who connected with Brady in the red zone, tallying two touchdown receptions in the first half to help New England take a 24-6 lead into the locker room.
The 24-year-old, who joined the team just prior to the start of the season in the Logan Mankins trade, has been hugely reliable this year despite being used only sporadically in the passing game. In fact, he's only three touchdowns behind Gronkowski on the year.
Being constantly ready for your number to be called, particularly inside 20 yards, is something Wright has come to embrace under coach Bill Belichick.
"It's just preparation, working hard and running your routes," he said via patriots.com. "Never thinking you can't get the ball because with Tom, he could deliver the ball at any time that a guy gets open or has a little bit of separation."
The former Rutgers star has six TDs on only 26 total targets this season, 23 of which he's pulled in. He's had seven games where he's had only one reception or not been targeted at all though, a prime example of the ever-changing game plan that has kept defenses on their heels.
"That’s why it’s so nice to be a part of this team," Gronkowski said via the Boston Herald. "Anyone can contribute at any time. Anyone can make a play at any time. We just want to spread out the ball, get everyone involved and just work together as a team the whole game."
